ISLAMABAD: The federal government has declared November 9 (Wednesday) a national holiday in observance of “Iqbal Day,” the 145th birthday celebration of Dr. Allama Mohammad Iqbal.
The development was reported to the government on Tuesday.
An official announcement stated, “The Prime Minister has been pleased to demand that November 9 (Iqbal Day) shall… be honoured as a Public Holiday.”
Millions of Muslims throughout the subcontinent were motivated by Dr. Iqbal to seek an independent country where they could practise Islam openly.
Special prayers for Pakistan’s success and prosperity would be offered in mosques as the day broke.
Dr. Iqbal, who is referred to as the “Poet of the East” in Pakistan and other countries, was born in Sialkot on November 9, 1877.
Poet and philosopher Iqbal was well-known. He is noted with producing poetry and utilising his position to push for the establishment of a Muslim country.
In pre-partition politics, his Allahabad address in 1930 marked a turning point.
The address of Allama Iqbal provided Muslims on the subcontinent with a defined goal and distinct identity in order to establish Pakistan.
His Lahore tomb will also host a ceremony to change the guard.